Family says school should keep ethos

Family says school should keep ethos

10 October 2012 - by BY CIARA COLHOUN

A DOWNPATRICK family has urged supporters of Blackwater Integrated College to speak out in support of the school, which is under review as part of a consultation process redefining the future of local education.

The Mackin family are keen supporters of the college, which was formed four years ago following the merger of Down Integrated Academy and Rowallane Integrated College.

They attended a meeting in the school last Tuesday to discuss the future of the college, which is being threatened with a possible merger with Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle, as part of the cost-cutting review.

They are annoyed by suggestions the school may close or be pushed into a merger with another integrated school and believe its “child-centred” ethos is unique to the area and must be preserved.

Mr. Seamus Mackin, whose 18 year-old son Curtis attended the school securing top grades and whose 14 year-old daughter Maria is currently a year 11 student, said he hoped other parents, former pupils and school advocates would stand together to oppose any possibility of closure or merger.

He said he was more than happy with the quality of education provided through the school and believed its promotion of the individuality of children made it stand apart from other schools in the area.

“We are not very familiar with the politics behind this review or what is happening behind the scenes but when we heard there was a danger of closure or amalgamation we wanted to do whatever we could to help,” he said.

“Blackwater College has been invaluable to our family,” he said.

“We like the fact that all staff treat the students like human beings, they are not just a number and they are not brainwashed into thinking a certain way.

“Blackwater helps do away with a lot of the tunnel vision that exists in Northern Ireland and does its part in making society a better place.

“The school’s figures also speak for themselves as the results have consistently improved since the school was created four years ago.”

“We will support Blackwater in whatever way we can as a thank you for everything it has done for our family, particularly our children.